Alma College wrestling preps for regionals

Alma College wrestler Jamie Jakes waits out the count on a near pin against Shane Hendrickson of Trine University, in their 174-pound match at Alma Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. SKIP TRAYNOR - SPECIAL TO THE MORNING SUN

Alma College wrestler Danny Martinez waits out the count on a near pin against Brandon Preston of Trine University, in their 133-pound match at Alma Friday, Feb. 7, 2014. SKIP TRAYNOR - SPECIAL TO THE MORNING SUN

The Alma College wrestling program has an opportunity this weekend to make a splash on the national scene.

The No. 28-ranked Scots are set to compete Saturday at the stacked NCAA Division III Midwest regional at Wabash (Ind.) College, with national championship qualifications on the line.

The top three finishers in each weight class advance to the NCAA Division III National Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The two-day event takes place March 14 and 15, at the U.S. Cellular Center.

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Of the 12 teams competing Saturday, five are ranked in the top 30 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III poll. Competing alongside Alma College is No. 2-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater, No. 4-ranked Olivet College, No. 7-ranked Wabash College and No. 11-ranked Wisconsin-La Crosse.

All but the 157- and 125-pound weight class will feature at least one nationally ranked wrestler. The heavyweight class features four wrestlers ranked in the top 10, while three top-10 wrestlers will be competing at 149, 165 and 184.

Senior Matt Tuttle (165) has the best shot at qualifying for nationals. Ranked 10th in the latest NWCA 165-pound poll, Tuttle enters the weekend with a 25-2 record, recording 18 wins by pinfall. A fourth-place finisher at last year’s regional, Tuttle’s only losses this season were to No. 4-ranked Cedric Gibson (Wisconsin-Whitewater) and No. 9-ranked Collin Crowell (Roger Williams). Tuttle dropped a one-point decision to Gibson last month at the Pete Wilson Invitational, and lost a 4-0 decision to Crowell at the Brockport Invitational in January.

“Matt certainly has the capability of qualifying for nationals,” said head coach Todd Hibbs. “Matt has the capability of beating any wrestler on any given day.”

Each weight class will consist of 12 wrestlers, with the top six receiving seeds. As Alma College’s lone senior, Tuttle will be seeded either second or third Saturday.

Sophomore Jamie Jakes (157) is another Scot that has a great chance of making noise Saturday. Jakes has gone 27-10 in his sophomore campaign, which includes a runner-up finish at the prestigious Pete Wilson Invitational. Jakes should be seeded between second and fourth.

“Jamie has a great work ethic and a great mentality,” Hibbs said. “Jamie had a breakout weekend at Wheaton College earlier this year when he beat two ranked wrestlers and lost in the championship bout. A loss or a bad effort never gets him down, and I believe Jamie has what it takes to qualify this weekend.”

Sophomores Shawn Brewer (157) and Trevor Maresh (184), and junior Jared Groeneveld (174) are three others to watch for this weekend, according to Hibbs.

Several Alma College wrestlers also have the opportunity Saturday to secure scholar All-American honors. Wrestlers with at least a 3.2 grade point average can earn All-American honors by finishing in the top three of their respective weight classes. Casimer Strzynski (125), Foley, Brewer, Jakes and Groeneveld are all eligible for those honors. As a program, the Scots currently sport a 3.6 GPA.

The first round of championship bracket bouts begins at 9 a.m. Championship round and consolation finals bouts are slated to begin at 5 p.m.

About the Author

Joe Buczek is the Alma College beat writer and prep sports writer covering the occasional CMU event at the Morning Sun. He is a broadcast and cinematic arts graduate of Central Michigan University. Reach the author at jbuczek@michigannewspapers.com
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